Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-21

have investigated the matter and |
find there is actually only 30 cents per
ton more expense in getting the coal
ny that way to Los Angeles than by
San Pedro. There will be better IA
cilties given us for doing the business
and our ship will have quick dispatch
That will more than compensate for
the difference Of cost.
THE OTHER SIDE.
Seeking Mr.. George, the agent OF
the railroad company, the reporter
told him what storm was brewing
on the new coal ship. After explain
ing the whole matter to him, Mr..
George went on to state that the fault
was all on the side of those han illng
the ship. According to his views Mr..
Maxwell is the one to blame. lie
claims the railroad company had
given Mr.. Maxwell % to 80 coal cars,
and that while the s or 10 were being
loaded at San Pedro, only 3 or a were
being unloaded at Los Angeles, and
that the company could not let one
customer have all their cars. There
is also minor dispute as to the work
ing rigging of the ship. Her working
boom is long enough merely to put
the bucket over the sh' p's side. All
the other coal ships are so rugged that
the bucket can be swung over the
centre of the car. The Captain claims
his tackle is all that is required. He
thinks there should be derricks on
the wharf to take care of stuff as soon
as it comes over the ships side.
While talking to the railroad man
the owner of the fine new ship came
up, and the whole matter was dis
cussed by the two gentlemen. Mr..
George said his company was
quite prepared to handle 25O tons of
coal day, if the cars could be un-
loaded as fast as they loaded. Eight
cars carry 100 tons OF coal, and 250 tons
would require twenty cars. That is Il
train-load. He thought the whole
thing could be arranged, and that
there would be no need to send the
ship to San Diego. Mr.. Freeman,
however, said she was going there;
and the captain said he would not
come into San Pedro again, that he
would rather resign his ship than do
so.
Mr.. Maxwell was not seen by the
reporter, but the matter reached the
ears of that gentleman, and from third
parties it was understood that Mr.
Iaxwell would not confess to having
more than 15 cars. At San Pedro, Mr.
Fr nan counted more than a dozen
co cars on the tracks, and full
for fiat cars which could easily be
us d TOR coal, were at San Pedro and
Wilmington.
AN IMPORTANT MATTER.
The aft ,ir as thus developed seems
Of so great importance tnat the HER
AID thinks all parties in interest will
he greatly benefited by boldly calling
attention to the case. Already, as it
appears, cargo of cement has gone
past our doors to San Diego and been
hauled from that point to Los Angeles.
Here is a coal ship which will make
about two trips month, ard owned
by one of our own citize 8, giving
us the go-by and takrg busi-
ness belonging to this city tour rival.
If this is to 90 on, then indeed We
might as we'll not have a harbor, but
become back-country to San Diego.
But this will not be. Those who con-
troll the harbor at San Pedro will see
to it that methods will be adopted,
facilities provided and terms lde OF
so thorough, practical and liberal
character, that the port to Los Ange-
les will hold her own. More help
must be obtained from Cong ess, and
San Pedro must be made as she
can be made, a commodi US, safe and
cheap harbor which will han lie all
the merchandise destined for Los An
geles, and for the whole interior coun-
try behind us. 1t is matter which
should enlist the most active energies,
and the warmest sympatl i s of every
citizen of this place, an of every
dweller in the valley. Let all put
their shoulder to the wheel and make
the harbor all it should be.